Montpelier Police Department reinstates bicycle patrol

TODAY, GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS ACROSS THE STATE…ONE DAY BEFORE WE CELEBRATE THE ONE-TIME ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISASTER EVENT. NBC5’S ANNA GUBER IS IN THE STUDIO NOW. ANNA, MONTPELIER WAS HIT PARTICULARLY HARD. IT EVEN TOOK THE POLICE A YEAR TO GET ONE OF THEIR PROGRAMS BACK UP AND RUNNING. THE Montpelier Police Department’s bike patrol has been around for years. BUT AFTER LAST SUMMER’S FLOOD WASTE AWAY THE POLICE BASEMENT…THEY LOST THE BIKES THEY USED FOR THAT PROGRAM. NOW…THANKS TO A PARTNERSHIP WITH ONION RIVER OUTDOORS. THE Montpelier BICYCLE PATROL IS BACK. Sergeant Michael Philbrook says, “It’s an effective way for officers to get around. Sometimes it’s even a faster way to respond to calls downtown…than using a patrol car.” He says it’s also a way for officers to build a better connection with the community. At large events like Do Good Fest, which is happening next week. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WITH THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY IS THAT THE POLICE HAVE TO CARRY THEIR ART ON THEIR BIKES. SERGEANT PHILBROOK HOPES THEY WILL GET FUNDING TO UPGRADE THE FLEET WITH E-BIKES. AFTER A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY… PHILBROOK SAYS… THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE… HELPING EACH OTHER GET BACK ON THEIR FEET. EVEN A YEAR LATER. IN THE MEANTIME

Montpelier Police Department reinstates bicycle patrol

Updated: 7:55 a.m. EDT, July 9, 2024

After historic flooding struck Vermont’s capital city last July, Montpelier police were forced to shut down a popular public safety program: bike patrol. But now, a year after the floods, Sergeant Michael Philbrook said, the program has finally been reinstated. Philbrook said floodwaters washed through the police department’s basement, where many of the bikes used in the program were stored. But thanks to a partnership with Onion River Outdoors and funds from next year’s budget, the police department has been able to rebuild its fleet, Philbrook said. Philbrook added that the bikes are an effective and sometimes quick way for officers to respond to calls downtown. But he said the program is also a chance for officers to better connect with the community. “It’s very open and accessible, you know, instead of being behind the steel and glass of a police car, we’re out there in shorts and polo shirts and, you know, on the sidewalk and out and about and available to the community to interact,” he said. Philbrook said the department hopes to continue to engage with its community and anyone interested should look for more “Coffee with a Cop” dates in August.

MONTPELIER, Vermont —

After severe flooding hit Vermont’s capital city last July, Montpelier Police were forced to cancel a popular public safety program: bike patrol.

But now, a year after the floods, the program has finally resumed, said Sergeant Michael Philbrook.

Philbrook said the floodwaters flooded the department’s basement, where many of the bikes used for the program were stored. But thanks to a partnership with Onion River Outdoors and funds from next year’s budget, the department was able to rebuild its fleet, Philbrook said.

Philbrook added that the bikes are an effective and sometimes quick way for officers to respond to calls downtown. But more than that, he said, the program is a chance for officers to better engage with the community.

“It’s very open and accessible. Instead of sitting behind the steel and glass of a police car, we’re out there in shorts and polo shirts and on the sidewalk and on the road and available to the public for interaction,” he said.

Philbrook said the department hopes to continue to stay in touch with its community, and anyone interested should look for more “Coffee with a Cop” dates in August.